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Frequently Asked Questions

The Ministry of Education is responsible for the development of curriculum. School boards and schools are responsible for the implementation of curriculum.

To develop the curriculum, the Ministry of Education established a curriculum review cycle to ensure that the curriculum remains current, relevant, and developmentally-appropriate from Kindergarten to Grade 12. See question: what is the review process?

In Ontario, the Ministry of Education is responsible for the development of curriculum policy documents.

In 2003, the Ministry established an ongoing cycle of curriculum review.

The review is not a development of a completely new curriculum, but is intended to ensure that the curriculum remains current and relevant and is developmentally appropriate from Kindergarten to Grade 12 in all subjects.

A number of subject disciplines have entered the review process each year.

The review supports students, teachers, schools and boards by identifying targeted areas in need of support and allows lead time for development or updating of related support materials as required.

ResearchThe Curriculum Review process is a research-based and evidence-informed process that begins with third party research and benchmarking of the Ontario curriculum against curricula from across Canada and around the world.

Analysis and SynthesisTeams of experts in the subject discipline from across the province analyze the current curriculum against the desired state for the revised curriculum. All information gathered from experts, focus groups, consultations, research and benchmarking is synthesized and directions for revision writing are identified.

Revision and Feedback ConsultationA draft, reflecting revised expectations and examples based on analysis and synthesis and that reflects current direction in the discipline, is developed. Sessions are held to gather input via a variety of opportunities, including face to face and web enabled sessions.

Editing and PublicationExperts in the subject discipline review the manuscript to ensure academic accuracy. Final reviews for bias, equity and inclusive education, First Nations, Métis and Inuit perspectives, environmental education, and financial literacy occur to ensure that the manuscript is inclusive and reflects the direction of the Ministry of Education.

Editing of the proposed draft revisions is done by professional editors. As needed, small targeted revision writing teams refine the proposed draft and focused consultation on final revisions may also be held.

Training and ImplementationOnce released, board teams and stakeholders are invited to implementation learning sessions about the revised curriculum. Resources are developed to support board training and implementation specific to the revised curriculum. These sessions ensure common understanding and consistent messages about curriculum revisions and expectations for implementation.

In March 2007, a group of knowledgeable and committed community leaders was brought together to advise the minister of education. They provide high level strategic advice on issues related to elementary and secondary school curriculum. For more information, visit the Curriculum Council website.